Computer Science programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $19,370 to $256,539, demonstrating the dramatic impact of program selection on tech careers. Across 541 programs, CS degree holders earn a median of $83,184—significantly above the national average of $62,960, reflecting strong demand for software development and technical expertise.
Leading the list is Harvard University, achieving the highest program earnings of $256,539, followed closely by Brown University at $218,525 and Carnegie Mellon University at $215,796. These top-performing programs demonstrate exceptional graduate outcomes that justify their positioning, with median earnings often exceeding national benchmarks by substantial margins.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | Cambridge, MA | $256,539 Median Computer Science Earnings | $2,895 | 3.5% | 97.3% |
| #2 | Brown UniversityPrivate | Providence, RI | $218,525 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$2,158 | 5.2% | 96.0% |
| #3 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $215,796 Median Computer Science Earnings | $8,460 | 11.4% | 92.5% |
| #4 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $205,583 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,026 | 5.9% | 96.8% |
| #5 | Yale UniversityPrivate | New Haven, CT | $203,685 Median Computer Science Earnings | $28,132 | 4.5% | 96.3% |
| #6 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | Stanford, CA | $200,950 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$79 | 3.9% | 92.8% |
| #7 | Cambridge, MA | $199,774 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$4,129 | 4.7% | 96.1% | |
| #8 | Amherst CollegePrivate | Amherst, MA | $194,751 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,888 | 9.8% | 93.4% |
| #9 | Harvey Mudd CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $183,524 Median Computer Science Earnings | $17,340 | 13.1% | 93.8% |
| #10 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $175,145 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$1,428 | 4.8% | 94.9% |
| #11 | Pasadena, CA | $173,344 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,667 | 3.1% | 93.2% | |
| #12 | Rice UniversityPrivate | Houston, TX | $172,391 Median Computer Science Earnings | $3,221 | 7.9% | 95.7% |
| #13 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | Ithaca, NY | $164,717 Median Computer Science Earnings | $4,079 | 8.2% | 95.1% |
| #14 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | Nashville, TN | $164,139 Median Computer Science Earnings | $5,797 | 6.3% | 92.7% |
| #15 | New York, NY | $160,457 Median Computer Science Earnings | $6,342 | 4.2% | 95.0% | |
| #16 | Duke UniversityPrivate | Durham, NC | $159,845 Median Computer Science Earnings | $3,295 | 6.8% | 95.8% |
| #17 | Swarthmore CollegePrivate | Swarthmore, PA | $157,852 Median Computer Science Earnings | $8,580 | 6.9% | 94.1% |
| #18 | Terre Haute, IN | $157,625 Median Computer Science Earnings | $33,862 | 72.8% | 81.7% | |
| #19 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | Hanover, NH | $157,053 Median Computer Science Earnings | $2,978 | 6.2% | 96.0% |
| #20 | Berkeley, CA | $150,081 Median Computer Science Earnings | $5,895 | 11.7% | 92.9% |
